Toy Helicopter

ABSTRACT

A toy helicopter with a functioning rotor blade and winch is disclosed. In one embodiment, a toy helicopter includes a rotor blade and winch coupled to a drive mechanism housed in the helicopter. The drive mechanism is coupled to a drive shaft, and is operated by an actuator with a winch attached thereto. Pulling the winch away from the helicopter body loads or winds up the drive mechanism, and releasing the winch allows the drive mechanism to rotate the drive shaft and retract the winch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/391,547, filed Oct. 8, 2010, entitled “ToyHelicopter,” Attorney Docket No. 1389.0294P/16807P, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a toy helicopter with a functioningrotor blade and winch. More specifically, the invention relates to a toyhelicopter having a rotor blade and winch coupled to a drive spoolmechanism housed in the helicopter fuselage. The drive spool is attachedto a drive shaft, and is operated by a pull string having a winchattached to the end of the pull string. Pulling the winch away from thefuselage winds up the drive spool, and releasing the winch spins thedrive shaft and retracts the winch.

BACKGROUND

Toys simulating helicopters having moving blades are well-known and aconstant source of amusement for children. The play value of such toysis greatly enhanced when the action of the toy closely approximatesvarious capabilities and accessories found in the full-scale operatingversions. The use of elements such as a winch or capture device toimitate a rescue situation greatly increases the play value of a toy byallowing for more imaginative play.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved toy helicopter having a winch and simple rotor blade actuatingmechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedtoy helicopter which contains additional play value in the form of aretracting winch in communication with actuating helicopter rotor bladesfor simulating life-like operation of a helicopter.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a toy helicopter having a fuselage,a tail boom attached to the fuselage, a functioning rotor blade, and aretracting winch. The toy helicopter comprises a drive shaftrotationally coupled to the fuselage and operationally coupled to therotor blade. The drive shaft is in mechanical communication with a drivespool mechanism which is operated by a pull string. The pull string hasa winch attached to one end of the pull string, wherein pulling thewinch away from the helicopter causes the drive spool mechanism to storemechanical energy. Releasing the winch allows the stored energy torotate the drive shaft and attached rotor blade in a given direction,while retracting the winch towards the fuselage.

In one embodiment of the invention, the drive spool mechanism of the toymay incorporate a motor and a drive gear in communication with themotor. The drive spool mechanism may further comprise a lock mechanismoperably attached to the motor and a release mechanism operably attachedto the motor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the drive spool mechanism of the toyhelicopter may incorporate an end user operated motor for operation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive spool mechanismmay incorporate a passive rewind means for retracting the pull stringand attached winch.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the drive spool mechanism mayincorporate a one-way clutch for continuous rotation of the drive shaftwhile the pull string is actuated and released.

In one embodiment, the toy helicopter may further comprise a controlcircuit coupled to: a power source, a sound generator, and speaker, forgenerating a sound. The toy helicopter may further comprise a triggeraffixed to the toy helicopter and operably coupled to the controlcircuit, for activating the sound.

In various embodiments, the toy helicopter may further comprise acontrol circuit coupled to: a power source and a light generator forgenerating light and/or sound. The toy helicopter may further comprise atrigger affixed to the toy helicopter and operably coupled to thecontrol circuit, for activating the light and/or sound.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will beunderstood more readily after consideration of the Detailed Descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a toy helicopteraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portion of the toy helicopterillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the toy helicopter illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the toy helicopter illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the toy helicopter illustrated in FIG. 1 with aportion of the body of the toy helicopter removed.

FIG. 5 is a close-up side view of a portion of the toy helicopterillustrated in FIG. 4 with components of the drive mechanism in adifferent configuration.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are close-up top views of a portion of the drive mechanismof the toy helicopter illustrated in FIG. 1 in different positions.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a toy helicopteraccording to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drivemechanism for a toy helicopter according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspectiveview of an embodiment of a toy vehicle, such as a toy helicopter 10,according to the present invention. The toy helicopter 10 comprises afuselage or body 18, which is the main body of the toy helicopter 10,and a tail boom 24, which is attached to the fuselage 18 and extendsaway from the fuselage 18. The toy helicopter 10 further comprises arotor blade 12 affixed to a drive shaft 20. The drive shaft 20 isrotationally coupled to the fuselage 18, allowing the drive shaft 20 torotate relative to the body of the helicopter 10 around a substantiallyvertical axis. The rotor blade 12 is substantially perpendicularlyaffixed to the drive shaft 20 such that rotation of the drive shaft 20in the vertical axis spins the rotor blade 12 in a substantiallyhorizontal plane.

The drive shaft 20 is further coupled to a drive spool mechanism ordrive mechanism 22 (see FIG. 4) for rotating the drive shaft 20. Thedrive spool mechanism 22 is further coupled to a pull string or actuator16 (see FIG. 1), which may be pulled away from the fuselage 18 to storemechanical energy in the drive spool mechanism 22. One end of the pullstring 16 is coupled to the drive spool mechanism 22, while the oppositeend of the pull string 16 is attached to a manual winch 14 for capturingobjects. In one embodiment, the winch 14 is a pair of arms or claws thatare biased away from each other by a biasing mechanism, such as aspring. In this embodiment, the pull string 16 passes through an openingformed in an arm or boom 40 that is slidably mounted to the body 18.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a close-up perspective view of a portion of thetoy helicopter 10 is illustrated. As illustrated, the body 18 includesan opening 19 formed therein through which the string 16 passes. The armor boom 40 is slidable along the direction of arrow “A” and is placeablein a retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The arm 40 includesan opening 41 through which the string 16 passes as well.

Upon releasing the pull string 16, mechanical energy stored in the drivespool mechanism 22 is released, rotating the drive shaft 20 and spinningthe attached rotor blade 12 in a given direction. The rotating drivespool mechanism 22 further retracts the pull string 16 towards thefuselage 18 causing the winch 14 to rise to the fuselage 18.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side perspective views of the toy helicopter 10illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, a handle or handle portion 32 iscoupled to the body of the helicopter 10. The handle 32 is configured tobe grasped by a user so that the user can maneuver the helicopter 10.Coupled to the handle 32 is a trigger 30 that is movable relative to thehandle 32. In one embodiment, the user can pull or actuate the trigger30 which closes a switch and results in the generation of an electronicoutput, such as an audible output including speech and/or sound effects,and/or a visual output.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the toy helicopter 10 with a portion ofthe housing of the toy helicopter 10 removed. The view in FIG. 4 depictsthe internal components of the toy helicopter 10. The drive spoolmechanism 22 is shown in greater detail, comprising several gears 26 andan end user operated motor 28, such as a spring biased gear, whichmechanically couples the drive shaft 20 with the pull string 16 (notshown in FIG. 4).

In operation, pulling the pull string 16 away from the fuselage 18builds mechanical energy in the motor 28. Releasing the pull string 16allows the motor 28 to release energy through the gears 26 to rotate thedrive shaft 20, as well as retract the pull string 16. FIG. 4 furtherdepicts the rotor blade 12 affixed to the drive shaft 20, as well as thewinch 14. For reference, FIG. 4 also shows the toy helicopter 10 tailboom 24 and fuselage 18.

In one embodiment, the motor or drive 28 is a spring-biased gear that isrotatably mounted to the body 18 of the helicopter 10. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the drive 28 includes a gear 50 that is mounted forrotation about a connector 58, such as a screw. The gear 50 includes abody portion 52 and a flange or flange portion 54 that extends aroundthe perimeter of the body portion 52. As best illustrated in FIG. 5,part of the flange 54 includes teeth 56 formed therein. In addition, thegear 50 includes a post 59 formed thereon.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a biasing member 60, such as a spring,includes opposite ends 62 and 64. End 62 is coupled to a portion of thehelicopter body 18 by a connector 61. End 64 is coupled to the post 59on the gear 50 by another connector as shown. The biasing member 60 islocated so that it tends to pull its ends 62 and 64 together, therebyrotating gear 50 about connector 58 in a clockwise direction when viewedfrom the right in FIG. 5.

The drive mechanism 22 also includes a rotatably mounted gear 70 thathas teeth 72. Gear 70 is mounted on a shaft 74 so that gear 70 issubstantially perpendicularly to gear 50 with teeth 72 engaging teeth56. As either gear 50 or gear 70 rotates, the engagement of teeth 56with teeth 72 results in the other of the gear 50 or gear 70 rotating aswell. Gear 70 is connected to another gear via shaft 74.

The drive mechanism 22 includes a pivotally mounted drive body 90.Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the helicopter body 18 includes a mount 80 towhich the drive body 90 is coupled. As shown in FIG. 5, the mount 80includes a slot 85 in which the drive body 90 is located. In addition,one of the gears 26 is located in the slot 85 as well.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, top views of a portion of the drivemechanism 22 are illustrated. As illustrated, the body 90 is mounted formovement between a disengaged or non-driving position 92 (see FIG. 6)and an engaged or driving position 94 (see FIG. 7). The disengagedposition 92 is the position in which the drive mechanism 22 is beingloaded by the pulling of the actuator 16 by the user.

The body 90 is coupled to the mount 80 via a pin 88 about which the body90 pivots. The body 90 includes an internal gear 99 that is selectivelymoved into and out of engagement with teeth formed on the drive shaft20. When the body 90 is in its disengaged position 92, gear 99 is spacedapart from the teeth on the drive shaft 20 and any rotation of gear 99via gears 26 is not transmitted to the drive shaft 20. As a result,gears 26, 50, 70, and 99 can rotate without driving or rotating thedrive shaft 20. When the body 90 is in its engaged position 94, gear 99is engaged with the teeth on the drive shaft 20 and any rotation of thegears 50, 70, and 26 is transmitted to gear 99 and thus, to the driveshaft 20.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the mount 80 includes a slot 82 formedtherein. The drive body 90 includes a pin 95 coupled thereto that isengaged with the slot 82. In addition to the disengaged position 92 andthe engaged position 94, the drive body 90 can be positioned in an idleposition as well. The drive body 90 includes a biasing member, such as aspring, that is mounted on the pin 88 and biases the drive body 90 intothe idle position. The various positions enable the drive body 90 andits gear 99 to function as a clutch for the drive mechanism.

In FIG. 6, the pin 95 of the drive body 90 is in position 96, whichcorresponds to the disengaged position 92. In the disengaged position92, the drive body 90 is spaced from the drive shaft 20 and the user canpull on the string 16 to rotate the gear 50 about connector 58 againstthe bias of the spring 60 to load the motor or drive 28. In FIG. 7, thepin 95 is illustrated in its engaged position 97, which corresponds togear 99 being engaged with the teeth of the drive shaft 20. The drivebody 90 is moved to this position as the stored energy is expended fromthe drive mechanism 22.

Once the potential energy of the spring 60 based on the rotation of thegear 50 is dissipated through rotation of the gear 50, the biasingmember on pin 88 rotates the drive body 90 away from the drive shaft 20so that pin 95 is in its idle position 98 (shown in phantom). In theidle position, the gear 99 of drive body 90 is disengaged from the driveshaft 20, thereby allowing the drive shaft 20 to rotate freely.

In operation, the winch 14 is pulled away from the fuselage 18 storingenergy in the drive spool mechanism 22. As the winch 14 is pulled awayfrom the fuselage 18, the rotor blade 12 remains static. Once the winch14 is released, stored energy in the drive spool mechanism 22 drives thedrive shaft 20, which in turn rotates the rotor blades 12. The driveshaft 20 may be further driven to rotate the rotor blade 12 bycontinually pulling the winch 14 away from the fuselage 18, followed byreleasing the winch 14. In various embodiments, the drive spoolmechanism 22 may be configured to allow for continuous rotation of therotor blades 12, through the drive shaft 20, by continuous pulling andreleasing of the winch 14.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, as the string 16 and winch 14 are pulledoutwardly, the drive body 90 moves to its disengaged position 92 andgear 50 is rotated by gear 70 against the force of the spring 60. Whenthe user releases the string 16 and winch 14, the spring 60 causes thegear 50 to rotate, which rotates gear 70 and gears 26. As a result, thestring 16 and winch 14 are retracted as well. At the same time, drivebody 90 is rotated by its biasing member about pin 88 along thedirection of arrow “B” and pin 95 moves in slot 82 along the directionof arrow “C.” Drive body 90 moves to its engaged position 94 (see FIG.7) and its gear 99 rotates while engaged with the drive shaft 20. Oncethe stored energy of the drive 28 is dissipated and the spring 60 is nolonger tensioned, the biasing member on pin 88 causes the drive body 90to rotate along the direction of arrow “D” to its idle position,represented by pin position 98 in FIG. 7. While the drive body 90 is inthis position, the drive shaft 20 and the rotor blades 12 can freelyrotate relative to the body 18. In addition, the string 16 and winch 14can be pulled outwardly again to load the gear 50 and spring 60 and uponrelease of the string 16 and winch 14, the gear 99 of the drive body 90can engage the teeth of the drive shaft 20 and rotate it more. Asmentioned above, as the drive body 90 functions as a clutch, the loadingof the drive mechanism 28 can be continuously repeated.

In yet another embodiment, the drive spool mechanism 22 may furthercomprise a lock mechanism for holding the mechanical energy stored inthe drive spool mechanism 22, as well as a release mechanism forreleasing mechanical energy stored in the drive spool mechanism 22. Thelock mechanism may comprise, for example, a ratchet gear. Variousrelease mechanisms may include a switch, toggle, key, or various otherrelease mechanisms known in the art. In one embodiment, the lockmechanism is in communication with the drive spool mechanism 22 and isenacted by pulling the winch 14 away from the fuselage 18. In aparticular embodiment, the release mechanism is a release switch affixedto the lock mechanism, which may be enacted by pulling the winch 14 asecond time. In operation, a child may pull the winch 14 away from thefuselage 18 enacting the locking mechanism and storing mechanical energyin the drive spool mechanism 22. With the drive spool mechanism 22 inthe locked position, the winch 14 and attached pull string 16 is looseallowing a child to manipulate and capture an item with the winch 14.Once the item is secured, the child may tug the winch 14 to release thelock mechanism and retract the winch 14, and accompanying item, towardsthe fuselage 18. Alternatively, the lock mechanism may be released by aseparate button or lever; in one example the lock mechanism may bereleased by depressing the trigger 30 acting through a suitableconnecting member or members. The trigger 30 may also be providedtogether with a graspable handle 32.

In various other embodiments, the drive spool mechanism 22 may beconfigured to engage or disengage from various play functions describedherein. For example, the drive spool mechanism 22 may comprise aselector for choosing which play features may be enacted. Play features,by way of example only, include retracting a winch 14 and rotating arotor blade 12.

Referring to FIG. 8, a schematic block diagram of a toy helicopteraccording to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment,the toy helicopter 100 includes a control circuit 102 with a powersource 104. Connected to the control circuit 102 is a trigger oractuator 106, such as a switch, and an output generator 110. In oneembodiment, the output generator 110 is a speaker or transducer thatgenerates an audible output, such as speech, sound effects, and/ormusic. In another embodiment, the output generator 110 is a visualoutput generator, such as an LED or other light source. In anotherembodiment, the output generate 110 is configured to generate visual andaudible outputs. In yet another embodiment, the output generator 110 isconfigured to generate a tactile output that can be sensed by the user.

The toy helicopter 100 includes an electric motor 108 connected to thecontrol circuit 102. The electric motor 108 is operably connected to adrive mechanism 120 that is connected to an output, such as a driveshaft coupled to the blades in the toy helicopter 10 described above. Invarious embodiments, actuation of the trigger 106 results in one or moreof the activation of the electric motor 108, the generation of a visualoutput via the output generator 110, or the generation of an audibleoutput via the output generator 110.

Referring to FIG. 9, a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adrive mechanism for a toy helicopter according to the present inventionis illustrated. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 130 includes adrive or motor 132 that is operably connected or coupled to a drive gear134, which is connected to one or more other gears and an output ordrive shaft. The drive mechanism 130 includes a lock mechanism 136 thatis connected to either the motor 132 or the drive gear 134 to preventthe drive gear 134 from operating or rotating the drive shaft. A releasemechanism 138 is operably connected to the lock mechanism 136 and isactuatable by a user to release the lock mechanism 136 to allow themotor 132 to drive the drive gear 134.

Alternative means to describe the present invention include thefollowing. In one embodiment, a toy comprises a fuselage; a tail boomattached to the fuselage; a drive shaft rotationally affixed to thefuselage; a rotor blade operationally coupled to the drive shaft; adrive spool mechanism attached to the drive shaft; a pull stringoperationally coupled to the drive spool mechanism; and a winch attachedto one end of the pull string; wherein pulling the winch transfersmechanical energy to the drive spool mechanism, and releasing the winchcauses the drive spool mechanism to rotate the drive shaft and retractthe winch and pull string towards the fuselage.

In one embodiment, the winch is manually operated by an end user.

In one embodiment, the drive spool mechanism comprises an end useroperated motor.

In one embodiment, the toy further comprises a recoil spring coupled tothe drive spool mechanism for retracting the pull string and attachedwinch.

In one embodiment, the toy further comprises a one-way clutch coupled tothe drive spool mechanism for continuous rotation of the drive shaftwhile the pull string is actuated and released.

In one embodiment, the toy further comprises a control circuit; a powersource operably coupled to the control circuit; an electric motormechanically coupled to the drive spool mechanism and operably coupledto the control circuit; and a trigger coupled to the control circuit,wherein activating the trigger prompts the control circuit to drive theelectric motor.

In one embodiment, the toy further comprises a control circuit; a powersource operably coupled to the control circuit; a sound generatoroperably coupled to the control circuit; a speaker operably coupled tothe sound generator; and a trigger affixed to the toy helicopter,wherein activating the trigger prompts the control circuitry to generatea sound through the speaker.

In another embodiment, the toy further comprises a control circuit; apower source operably coupled to the control circuit; a light generatoroperably coupled to the control circuit; and a trigger affixed to thetoy helicopter, wherein activating the trigger prompts the controlcircuitry to generate lights.

In an alternative embodiment, a toy comprises a fuselage; a tail boomattached to the fuselage; a drive shaft affixed to the fuselage; a rotorblade operationally coupled to the drive shaft; and a drive spoolmechanism attached to the drive shaft. The drive shaft comprises amotor; a drive gear in communication with the motor; a lock mechanismoperably attached to the motor; a release mechanism operably attached tothe motor; a pull string operationally coupled to the drive spoolmechanism; and a winch attached to one end of the pull string.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multipledistinct inventions with independent utility. While each of theseinventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specificembodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to beconsidered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Thesubject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obviouscombinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features,functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where anydescription recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof,such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one ormore such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements.

While the invention has been described in detail and with references tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents. For example, the majority of theelements can be formed of molded plastic. However, in alternativeembodiments, the elements can be formed of a material other than plasticprovided that the material has sufficient strength for the component'sintended function.

1. A toy, comprising: a helicopter body; a drive shaft rotationallycoupled to the body, the drive shaft including a blade; a drivemechanism connected to the drive shaft; an actuator operationallycoupled to the drive mechanism; and a winch coupled to the actuator,wherein moving the winch relative to the body loads the drive mechanism,and releasing the winch causes the drive mechanism to rotate the driveshaft and retract the winch and the actuator towards the body.
 2. Thetoy of claim 1, wherein the winch is manually operated by a user.
 3. Thetoy of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a user operateddrive.
 4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes arotatably mounted gear, and the drive mechanism further comprises: abiasing member coupled to the gear to move the gear and retract theactuator.
 5. The toy of claim 1, further comprising: a clutch coupled tothe drive mechanism, the clutch allowing continuous rotation of thedrive shaft while the actuator is actuated and released.
 6. The toy ofclaim 1, further comprising: a control circuit; a power source operablycoupled to the control circuit; an electric motor mechanically coupledto the drive mechanism and operably coupled to the control circuit; anda trigger coupled to the body, wherein activating the trigger causes thecontrol circuit to drive the electric motor.
 7. The toy of claim 1,further comprising: a control circuit; a power source operably coupledto the control circuit; an output generator operably coupled to thecontrol circuit, the output generator being configured to generate oneof an audible output or a visual output; and a trigger coupled to thebody, wherein activating the trigger causes the control circuitry togenerate an output via the output generator.
 8. A toy vehicle,comprising: a vehicle body; a drive shaft rotatably coupled to thevehicle body; a blade coupled the drive shaft; a drive mechanismoperably connected to the drive shaft, the drive mechanism including: adrive gear; a biasing mechanism coupled to the drive gear; a pluralityof gears operably connected to the drive gear; and a drive body movablymounted to the vehicle body, the drive body being positionable in adisengaged position and in an engaged position; an actuator connected tothe drive mechanism, the actuator being movable relative to the vehiclebody; and a winch connected to the actuator, wherein movement of theactuator and the winch relative to the vehicle body moves the drive gearagainst the biasing mechanism and moves the drive body relative to thevehicle body into engagement with the drive shaft.
 9. The toy vehicle ofclaim 8, wherein the biasing mechanism includes a first end coupled tothe drive gear and a second end coupled to the vehicle body.
 10. The toyvehicle of claim 8, wherein the drive body is positionable in an idleposition, the idle position being located between the disengagedposition and the engaged position.
 11. The toy vehicle of claim 10,wherein a biasing member is coupled to the drive body, the biasingmember biasing the drive body to the idle position.
 12. The toy vehicleof claim 10, wherein the drive body includes a drive body gear coupledthereto, the drive body gear being engaged with the drive shaft when thedrive body is in its engaged position and being spaced apart from thedrive shaft when the drive body is in its idle position and itsdisengaged position.
 13. The toy vehicle of claim 8, wherein the drivebody includes a drive body gear coupled thereto, the drive body gearbeing engaged with the drive shaft when the drive body is in its engagedposition and being spaced apart from the drive shaft when the drive bodyis in its disengaged position.
 14. The toy vehicle of claim 8, whereinthe winch is manually operated by a user.
 15. The toy vehicle of claim8, wherein the biasing mechanism causes the actuator to retract.
 16. Thetoy vehicle of claim 8, further comprising: a clutch coupled to thedrive mechanism, the clutch allowing continuous rotation of the driveshaft when the actuator is released.
 17. The toy vehicle of claim 8,further comprising: a control circuit; a power source operably coupledto the control circuit; an electric motor mechanically coupled to thedrive mechanism and operably coupled to the control circuit; and atrigger coupled to the body, wherein activating the trigger causes thecontrol circuit to drive the electric motor.
 18. The toy vehicle ofclaim 8, further comprising: a control circuit; a power source operablycoupled to the control circuit; an output generator operably coupled tothe control circuit, the output generator being configured to generateone of an audible output or a visual output; and a trigger coupled tothe body, wherein activating the trigger causes the control circuitry togenerate an output via the output generator.
 19. A toy helicopter,comprising: a body; a drive shaft coupled to the body; a rotor bladecoupled to the drive shaft; a drive mechanism operably connected to thedrive shaft, the drive mechanism comprising: a motor; a drive gear incommunication with the motor; a lock mechanism operably coupled to oneof the motor or the drive gear, and a release mechanism operablyconnected to the lock mechanism; and an actuator coupled to the drivemechanism; and a winch coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator andwinch are movable relative to the body.
 20. The toy helicopter of claim19, wherein the drive mechanism includes a clutch mechanism selectivelyengageable with the drive shaft.